“If You Get Unlucky, Then You Get Unlucky”- Dismissive Denny Hamlin Snubs Bubba Wallace’s Daytona Ambitions

Published 08/26/2023, 9:30 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

The Cup Series season finale is indisputably brimming with anticipation. The excitement is palpable in the air, and fans and experts alike are busy making playoff and championship predictions. This year’s last race is no different from the Daytona 2022 race. The next race will not only decide the last playoff position for September but also continue the trend of unsecured standings for the fourth year.

Loyal supporters of Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports are looking out for that crucial win. Similarly, Ty Gibbs is also eyeing gaining much-needed points for Joe Gibbs Racing. However, Bubba Wallace will remind you that, for now, the coveted position belongs to him. And he will put in his all to retain it. Co-owner of 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, is not entirely sure about it.

Hamlin asks Bubba Wallace to avoid a Catastrophic Mistake 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Seasoned racer and Michael Jordan’s partner Denny Hamlin knows how easy it is to lose in a high-pressure race such as Daytona. He emphasized the same point in the NASCAR Live podcast.

“Daytona is a race where you just kind of budget for someone new winning and if they don’t, then you’re ahead of budget you know. So you have to just plan on someone being there. So from Bubba’s standpoint, it probably not realistic for him to jump off in points to the next guy so he probably sees it as he needs to win.”

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Hamlin further cautioned Bubba Wallace from squandering away the points lead advantage he has at the moment.

“However, you can’t throw that away you know making a crazy mistake and then you know and then no one goes and wins Daytona and then you’ve blown the points lead that you had over 17th so I think you still have to just race smart and if you get unlucky then you get unlucky.”

Watch this story: “God Almighty, It’s Frustrating!”: Disappointed by his Watkins Glen Fate, Bubba Wallace Makes a Somber Confession, Highlighting his Inferiority to the 23XI Racing Teammate

Hamlin may be uncertain about Bubba’s winning chances, but Wallace is going to continue to rely upon his team’s consistency.

“Hats off to the team for believing in me”: Bubba Wallace’s faith in his team is admirable

Wallace spoke to a NASCAR reporter after finishing 12th at Watkins Glen. He talked about his mindset going into Daytona with a 32-point lead.

“We showed up here with a game plan and we executed that so that was that’s what we needed to do. Execution is a such a big part of the sport and of our team so as long as we keep doing that, we’ll make a really good run.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

At the same time, Wallace is aware that it could be any person’s game. He will have to put in a lot of effort for the elusive 16th position.

“We’re not safe, we’re not locked in that’s by any means but um we just gotta go out and have a good clean race at Daytona. Everybody’s talking about how good we are. Past results don’t really mean anything.

“I Like To Win” – Bubba Wallace Smug About His Playoff Performance Despite Not Being Locked In

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

We got to go out and deliver a get through stage 1 stage 2 and ultimately the end of the race so looking forward to it but just hats off to the team for believing in me and giving me the right resources to better my road course program so I got a lot of work to do.”

Despite Hamlin’s reservations, Bubba seems to be focused on retaining his point’s lead. 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Parika Singh

246Articles

One take at a time

Parika Singh is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. Her combined love for writing and motorsports drew her to the world of sports journalism, where she fell in love with the thrill, unpredictability, and charisma of covering racers and race tracks. She especially looks out for the #5 Chevrolet of Kyle 'Wheelman' Larson, because of whom, she holds a soft spot for the 2021 season where he emerged as champion.
Show More>

Edited by:

Shivali Nathta